KINGSTON, Jamaica – Scores of women (and a few men) turned out today at the International Women’s Day Expo underway held at the Undercroft at the University of the West Indies Mona campus in St Andrew.

International Women’s Day is observed annually on March 8 in celebration of the contributions of women in society and an expression of solidarity with the issues affecting women across the world.

The first female president and CEO of the Scotia Group, Jacqueline Sharp, gave the main address on the importance of women’s leadership and decision-making.

The expo, being done under the theme: Celebrating Women and Girls, is hosted by the Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre Limited (WROC), the Bureau of Gender/Women’s Affairs, the Institute of Gender & Development Studies Mona Unit, the United Nations Population Fund and other corporate entities.

The day’s event includes exhibitions by financial institutions, health service providers as well as women entrepreneurs and women business owners, organisations offering education and skills training, hair and beauty services as well as consumer education.

There are also scheduled discussions on various topics related to women and gender equality.

The expo continues until 4:00 pm.

Anika Richards